A THUMPING Jon Parkin free kick rescued a point for York City during a listless 1-1 home draw with Kidderminster.

Parkin’s 29th goal of 2017 levelled the scores just before half-time after Ryan Croasdale opened the scoring for the visitors.

But the Minstermen never managed a single goal attempt after the break and had to settle for holding on to a share of the spoils. The visitors imposed themselves from the first whistle with right-back James Pearson testing Adam Bartlett at his near post following a 12-yard half-volley.

For City, meanwhile, Parkin headed on a long ball to release Gary Martin through the left channel, but his shot lacked the conviction to extend Brandon Hall.

Most of the action during the opening exchanges remained at the other end, as Bartlett held on to Andre Brown’s 20-yard drive before parrying an edge-of-the-box effort by James McQuilkin.

Sam Austin then curled wide from a similar distance after Josh Law gave away possession, but the Harriers did forge ahead on 20 minutes.

City midfield anchorman Daniel Rowe dragged a tame 20-yard attempt wide for the Minstermen, before failing to track Croasdale’s forward run as he collected a Brown pass.

The Kiddy captain went on to curl into Bartlett’s bottom-left corner from just outside the penalty area.

In the game’s next attack, Bartlett was again required to push away a Croasdale shot from almost an identical position after Dan Parslow had lost the ball.

But, with his side in desperate need for some form of inspiration, Parkin delivered in typical fashion on 37 minutes.

Croasdale was penalised for a foul on Martin 25 yards from goal and the 35-year-old forward curled the resulting free kick inside Hall’s left-hand upright with a measure of routine nonchalance.

The goal sent City into the break on level terms after Parslow had aimed an ambitious 30-yard half-volley well over.

An early second-half scare for the hosts was survived when Bartlett’s clearance was charged down by Pearson, but the ball ricocheted over.

Pearson’s 25-yard shot just past the hour, meanwhile, was comfortably gathered by Bartlett, before the City keeper used his legs to save at his near post after sub Emmanuel Sonupe had burst through the right channel.

His 67th-minute effort represented the final chance of the afternoon.